Halo Reach Kat - Foam Armor *FINISHED* 10/31/11

[HaloGoddess]

Hey everyone! After a very long hiatus, I have returned and have jumped on the band wagon and decided to try my hand at the foam armor. Now it seems that you can only get so detailed with the foam. Cutting has been the hardest part for me. I don't have a heat knife and using an exacto knife and having to apply a lot of pressure to make it cut through is starting to take it's toll on my fingers. I have only used ONE sheet of foam so far to create what I got so far AND I still have room on it to cut out a few more smaller pieces! I have a total of 6 foam sheets to use and if I'm lucky, that MIGHT be all I need to make a full suit.

Anyway, I think I am off to a good start.

I think it looks okay. Since foam seems to be a new method around here, there isn't a whole lot of "stickies" to read on how to go about doing it. I've read the few things I could find, especially the videos by Ben Streeper.

What I've got so far:


Now for some close-ups!

The top left shoulder side:


The front area:


Upper right shoulder area:


And what it will sort of look like once the pieces are connected:



I THINK that if I dedicate myself to this project, I MIGHT have it done in time for a convention in May. Since I don't have to use all the resin and crap, that reduces the time needed to finish. haha Also, now with Forged Reclaimer back in action and sharing his awesome models with us, I am hoping to have some VERY nice models to use.

My MAJOR issue is Kat's helmet. Yes, there are some that have made a decent helmet, but those were created before the game was released. No Kat helmet has been made since the release and the existing helmets are still not accurate. Having a helmet finished in time might be the hard part since it doesn't seem too easy to make it out of foam. XD That may have to be done using the 'ol resin, fiberglass and rondo method. haha

On a side note, it's a bit funny that the foam is blue and so is Kat. lol

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In case anybody wants to know, here is my supply list:
• EVA foam (8-10 sheets should be enough for a full suit)
• Hot glue (LOTS of it. I got mine at the dollar store)
• Craft foam (this thinner foam is GREAT for detail parts that are too hard with the thicker stuff)
• Cardstock (needed to print the templates) durrrr lol
• Pen (to trace the templates onto the foam, obviously) XD
• ACRYLIC paint
• Various sized paint brushes. A wider one for the big areas and a smaller one for the smaller areas.
• 1-2 spray cans of clear coat*

*I have noticed that if you rub hard enough, the acrylic paint can rub off, but you gotta rub pretty hard in order for that to happen. Plus acrylic paint is a WATER BASE PAINT so if you are out in the rain in your armor, your gonna have issues! XD

NO need for plasti-dip! Plasti-dip makes a good base before you paint, but that is if you go with spray paint. I've done stress tests on a scrap piece of foam with the acrylic paint and it did not peel/flake/crack off when I bent it in every way possible. It holds up pretty good. Of course, the armor will not be moving in some of the ways I was bending it, but just had to test and make sure the paint worked.

[JBetts97]

Looking great! I have the same issue with Kats helmet . I know that AceNat built a full kat suit for the reach midnight release. Try contacting her as too which file she used. Keep it up!

Jacob

[Shadowind]

What you have so far looks great. Hope you can find a good helmet file.

[HaloGoddess]

Looking great! I have the same issue with Kats helmet . I know that AceNat built a full kat suit for the reach midnight release. Try contacting her as too which file she used. Keep it up!

Jacob

I know which one she used and it's still not to my liking. XD

Anyway, it looks like I am gonna have to redo the chestplate. *sigh* I forgot to take into consideration the thickness of the foam and it's going to be a bit too small for me. Plus I also wanted to edit the file adter looking at my reference pics and noticed that the collar area on this model was off so I changed that.

I also made some mistakes on cutting this so I am going to change that in the 2nd attempt. Hopefully I got the size better this time. I'll post pics of the new one.

Another thing, I think I know how I am going to paint this. I WAS going to airbrush it, but then that would mean spending more money for the airbrush paint which wouldn't be too much since I only need a couple colors. I got a new way to paint it after I did a little paint test to see how it would work and it works fine WITHOUT having to spend money for plasti-dip! Although I will need to buy some clear coat.

[noble 1]

may i ask what chest file you are using as a base for the foam templates? i have decide to put a hold on my mk6 build to try the foam method.

[HaloGoddess]

may i ask what chest file you are using as a base for the foam templates? i have decide to put a hold on my mk6 build to try the foam method.

The file is by L3X BLU3R1V3R. He has a male and female version of the chestplate: http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/...h-Mark-V-Torso

Since using the foam is NOT your typical pepakura build, I've had to change the pieces to use for templates in pepakura. I also did NOT use all the pieces and that helps cut down on how much paper I use and the amount of ink. I try to stick with just one side of the pieces and trace it one way for the right, flip it over and trace it to mirror it for the left side.

[calladar]

looking good. can't wait for more. yes i too had issues with helmet. i did go with the one that acenate made. i liked it the most and it had the most detail. if you find a better one or make a better one i may have to start over on the helmet. (don't try too hard lol)

[vshore100]

Nice work on the kat armor so far. Keep it up and you might have to make your own foam armor tutorials. Looking good goddess.

[Mensrea Prod.]

The file is by L3X BLU3R1V3R. He has a male and female version of the chestplate: http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/...h-Mark-V-Torso

Since using the foam is NOT your typical pepakura build, I've had to change the pieces to use for templates in pepakura. I also did NOT use all the pieces and that helps cut down on how much paper I use and the amount of ink. I try to stick with just one side of the pieces and trace it one way for the right, flip it over and trace it to mirror it for the left side.

Thats a great idea about fliping your template, TKS! Also keep up the good work.

[HaloGoddess]

Alrighty, as promised. Pics of the NEW chestplate!






I ended up SLIGHTLY editing L3X's model because after further inspection of my reference pics, I noticed something awry with the collar area on his model so I loaded Blender, made the adjustments and printed out the new templates for the redo of my chestplate. I also made sure to avoid some of the mistakes I made in my 1st attempt since I had made some cuts that were TOTALLY not necessary so I was kind of glad that I remade it. I also did my templates different this time and tried to cut out bigger pieces instead of a bunch of seperate pieces. Made it a bit easier.

Hopefully later tonight I MIGHT have it done. With the exception of painting since I don't have the right color. Even though the foam itself is already blue, it's the wrong shade of blue.

Plus I need to figure out how to seal those seams. :\ If you look on the front right area of the chestplate, you will see some glue that was smeared. I thought of an idea and tested it to see if it would work and it didn't. Anybody know of a really good way to fill in those seams?? Something that does NOT require me to buy something expensive? XD